Method for sealing a housing and corresponding housing

Abstract

The case comprising a base (2) and a lid (3) articulated thereon includes a container (5) which can receive, for example, a more or less volatile cosmetic product which may deteriorate in contact with the ambient air. According to the invention, the case comprises a mechanism (6) enabling the container (5) to be raised when the case is closed, while ensuring sealing contact between an upper wall (15) of the container and a cooperating wall (16) of the lid. The invention can be applied especially to make-up cases.

I claim: 
     
       1. A case comprising: a base;   a lid which is movable toward and away from said base and which can be locked onto the base;   a container which is received on the base and which contains a product;   a bottom of said lid having a size and shape corresponding to a top of said container and positioned so that when said lid is locked the top of said container can contact said bottom of said lid when said container is raised relative to said base and said lid;   positively actuable raising means for raising and lowering the container relative to the base and the lid.   
     
     
       2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises rotation prevention means for preventing rotation of the container relative to the base. 
     
     
       3. The case according to claim 2, wherein the means for preventing rotation of the container during translation is formed by a tongue which extends perpendicularly from the base of the case and which engages in a passage in the base of the container. 
     
     
       4. The case according to claim 1, wherein the raising means comprises: a ring which can rotate in the base and which rests thereon and which further includes an operating button accessible on a periphery of the case, enabling the ring to be rotated back and forth through a predetermined angle;   cam means on an inner circumferential surface of the ring; and   guide means formed on an outer circumferential surface of the container, with the cam means of the ring contacting the guide means of the container.   
     
     
       5. The case according to claim 4, wherein the cam means comprises on the internal wall of the ring at least three pins forming cams. 
     
     
       6. The case according to claim 5, wherein the cam paths comprise a starting portion which is substantially parallel to the base of the case and which is extended by a rising portion which ensures the progressive raising and lowering of the container during the relative rotation of the ring with respect to the container to obtain a sealed closure or an opening of the case, depending on the direction of rotation of the ring. 
     
     
       7. The case according to claim 4, wherein the ring comprises on an upper face an arcuate slot having a widened portion into which a hook for locking the lid can penetrate, and a narrower portion for retaining the hook when the ring has commenced rotation to lock the lid and to raise the container. 
     
     
       8. Case according to claim 4, characterised in that the guide means comprises at least three ramps which are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the container. 
     
     
       9. The case according to claim 1, wherein a plate is provided which covers the ring, with said plate capable of being locked onto the base and which contains on an upper face respective slots for the free movement of the hook and the operating button of the ring. 
     
     
       10. The case according to claim 1, wherein said product is a cosmetic product. 
     
     
       11. The case according to claim 1, wherein said product is volatile or deterioratable when in contact with ambient air. 
     
     
       12. A method of closing and opening a case, comprising the steps of: closing a lid which is articulated upon a base;   locking said lid with respect to said base;   elevating a container inside said base so that an outer circumferential surface of said container bears sealingly against an inner circumferential surface of said lid;   lowering said container inside said base so that said outer circumferential surface of said container moves away from said inner circumferential surface of said lid;   unlocking said lid with respect to said base; and   opening said lid.   
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12, wherein said outer circumferential surface of said container has a conicity and a resilience. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 12, wherein said inner circumferential surface of said lid has a conicity and a resilience. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 12, wherein said outer circumferential surface of said container comprises a substantially cylindrical skirt. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 12, wherein the locking step further comprises trapping a wider portion of a hook extending from said lid by rotating a ring having a slot with wide and narrow portions, whereby said hook is trapped when said slot is rotated with respect to said hook from said wide portion to said narrow portion. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 12, wherein the elevating step further comprises the steps of: rotating a ring having cam lugs on an inner circumferential surface; and   engaging said cam lugs in ramps formed in an outer circumferential surface of said container;   whereby said container is elevated when said ring is rotated with respect to said container.